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Item One:
There has been a string of very public factory and chemical plant explosions and fires in the PRC this year. Unfortunately for them, this is nothing new. During the three year period 2016-2018 there were a staggering 620 chemical accidents resulting in 728 fatalities. What is new is the public questioning of these accidents.
On August 12 2015, a devastating explosion rocked the Tianjin Port (immediately ESE of Beijing). The official CCP report said that 165 people died, 8 missing, and 768 injured. Reports at the time suggested that the real death toll was likely in the thousands. Hong Kong media carried accounts that said that Xi Jinping closely monitored the "8.12" fire. He reported received updates from the State Council Investigation and issued a damning judgement, attributing the tragedy to a "man-made disaster" stemming from collusion between government officials and business interests. The more things change the more they stay the same.
(click for larger version) 
Those lines in the background are rows of new autos burned to a crisp. They were completely gutted.
Item Two:
Alzheimer's disease becoming more prevalent at a younger age in the PRC with the youngest patient only 19. The PRC now has more people with Alzheimer's than any other nation. While generally a condition associated with the elderly, it is estimated that 21% of new diagnoses in China are under 60. For the rest of the world, early onset Alzheimer's runs a mere 5-10%.
Medicine is NOT my long suit. I seem to remember Alzheimer's being associated with increased levels of aluminum in the diet. It wouldn't surprise me to learn that there is a tie in with crappy food in the PRC and the rise of Alzheimer's disease.
Item Three:
The PRC may see a net loss of several billion dollars US from the upcoming Asian games in Hangzhou starting next week. The Chinese people are seriously questioning the wisdom of pissing away money on things that aren't important to them.
Item Four:
With full gun-control in place, the CCP is now enacting stringent knife-control regulations. Persons purchasing certain kitchen knives must register their correct name and address. Some knives must be turned in to authorities by 30 November 2023. Restaurants must institute strict knife control to include locking them when not in use. Some restaurants have taken to chaining them to the work-station. The regulations have generally been met with derision from the public. You just can't make this stuff up folks.
Taken together, the conclusion is obvious to me. The CCP sees the Chinese people as the greatest threat to their existence. Looks like they got this one right for a change.
WWG1WGA
Garde la Foi, mes amis! Nous nous sommes les sauveurs de la République! Maintenant et Toujours!
(Keep the Faith, my friends! We are the saviors of the Republic! Now and Forever!)
LonePalm, le Républicain du verre cassé (The Broken Glass Republican)